Biden Administration Reports Record Low Illegal Crossings at Southern Border

The number of migrants illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border reached its lowest point under President Biden in September. The drop comes after the administration implemented strict new asylum policies, which have sharply limited who can seek refuge in the U.S.

What’s Behind the Drop in Illegal Crossings at the U.S.-Mexico Border?

In September, U.S. Border Patrol apprehended nearly 54,000 migrants who crossed into the U.S. illegally, marking the lowest number since August 2020. This is part of a consistent decrease in illegal border crossings over the past few months.

The decrease comes three months after the Biden administration implemented new restrictions on asylum claims. These policies have reduced illegal border crossings by 78% since December 2023, when a record 250,000 migrants attempted to cross the border without authorization.

The Biden administration’s new rules disqualify most migrants who cross the border illegally from seeking asylum. This has led to a sharp decline in migration and a significant reduction in the number of people released into the U.S. to await immigration court hearings.

What Are the New Asylum Policies?

In June 2024, Biden introduced sweeping changes to the U.S. asylum system. The key changes include:

Asylum Restrictions: Migrants who cross the U.S. southern border unlawfully are not eligible for asylum if the average number of border crossings over a 7-day period reaches 2,500, and it will remain in place until that number falls to 1,500 over 28 days.
Exceptions: The policy does not apply to certain groups, including unaccompanied children, migrants fleeing imminent harm, those with acute medical conditions, and migrants who use the free CBP One mobile app to schedule asylum appointments at legal ports of entry in advance.
Increased Deportations: The policy accelerates deportations with stricter asylum criteria, resulting in over 70% of migrant families and adults apprehended being sent back to their home countries. More than 121,000 migrants have been deported under the new guidelines.
Temporary Entry for Select Nationalities: Citizens of Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela, and Nicaragua can enter the U.S. temporarily for two years if they have a U.S.-based financial sponsor.

These new rules are part of the administration’s strategy to reduce illegal crossings while maintaining some legal pathways for asylum seekers.

Did you know?

Fiscal year 2024 saw a significant decrease in illegal border crossings, with just over 1.5 million migrant apprehensions recorded by Border Patrol. This is down from a record 2.2 million in fiscal year 2022.

Why Did the Biden Administration Implement These Policies?

The Biden administration has faced intense pressure to manage the surge in migration at the southern border. Prior to the new asylum restrictions, the administration struggled to process the large numbers of migrants, particularly from countries like Venezuela, where diplomatic challenges prevent regular deportations.

The administration’s asylum policies were introduced to restore order at the border and reduce the number of migrants being released into the U.S. while awaiting immigration hearings.

What Happens to Migrants Who Use Legal Pathways to Enter the U.S.?

Migrants who wish to enter the U.S. legally through the southern border can still do so through legal points of entry. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) strongly encourages asylum seekers to use the CBP One phone app to schedule an appointment in advance at legal points of entry. This system, introduced by the Biden administration, is now the main legal pathway for asylum seekers.

In September, U.S. officials processed 48,000 migrants at legal ports of entry through this system. The administration has also temporarily expanded legal migration pathways, allowing migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the U.S. through a two-year humanitarian parole program if they have U.S.-based sponsors. However, the administration recently announced that it has no plans to renew the program.

What Are the Political Implications?

Biden’s new asylum policies mark a major shift in the Democratic Party’s approach to immigration. In 2020, Democrats were pushing to reverse the Trump administration’s hardline immigration rules. Now, Biden’s policies reflect a stricter stance on asylum, which has helped reduce illegal crossings but has also sparked criticism from migrant advocacy groups.

Republicans have called the new policies a political move ahead of the 2024 presidential election, while some immigration advocates have labeled the policies as too harsh. Legal challenges are also ongoing, with migrant rights groups contesting the asylum restrictions in court.

What’s Next for U.S. Immigration Policy?

Biden’s asylum restrictions were designed to be temporary, but the administration recently made it harder to lift the policy, signaling that the restrictions may remain in place indefinitely. Vice President Kamala Harris has also indicated her intention to continue and even strengthen the policies if elected president.

The Biden administration is likely to maintain these strict measures as it seeks to manage migration while providing legal avenues for asylum seekers. However, the future of U.S. immigration policy will depend on the outcome of ongoing court challenges and the 2024 presidential election.